Radon Emission From Granite Countertops

However keep in mind that avoiding granite countertops does not mean you avoid radiation or radon gas emissions in your home.

Radon emission from granite countertops.

You might even find it in the water. At issue is whether some granite countertops emit dangerous levels of radiation especially the gas radon which is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Here are some frequently asked questions about radon and the risks associated with granite. To find out if your granite or other stone countertops or anything else in the home is emitting radon gas you will need to call 1 800 sos radon 767 7236 to get your home tested.

The reports were about granite countertops that contain radium which can emit radon a radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. Experts agree that most. Granite is mined from the earth where radium and naturally occurring radioactive materials are not uncommon. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and is estimated to cause tens of thousands of lung cancer deaths in the u s.

While radon gas and radiation emission levels attributable to granite are not typically high there are simply too many variables to generalize about the potential health risks inside a particular home that has granite countertops. In fact up to 95 of the geiger counter clicks may come from the potassium. It is prudent to limit your family s exposure to radon whenever possible. People love granite countertops though some may worry that it will emit radon a colorless odorless radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of rocks and natural stones.

Not all the radiation coming from the granite that makes the clicking sound comes from radon producing radium. In most cases the noise is produced by two other naturally occurring elements. Researchers currently studying the most commonly used granite in kitchen countertops have found that all the 55 samples they ve tested emit radon radiation at higher than background levels. Regarding the question of radon in granite countertops the epa said some granite used for countertops may contribute variably to indoor radon levels.

Certain regions have higher levels. So are granite countertops a real risk. At this time however epa does not believe. Some granite countertops have been found to give off trace amounts of radon and reporters cited a few kitchens with radon levels as high as 25 times the epa s safety limit of 4 picocuries per liter of air.

Granite as used by the countertop industry is a catch all name for rock countertops.